§ 36. Mr. CHRISTIEasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated total capital cost of each of the beet-sugar factories now in course of erection; and what proportion of such outlay has been or will be expended abroad?
Mr. WOODThe total estimated capital cost of the six factories now in course of erection is £1,826,000, of which £1,563,000, or over 85 per cent., is being expended in this country. I will circulate the figures for each factory in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us how much of the £1,563,000 which is being spent at home is being expended by foreign capitalists?
Mr. WOODI could not tell the hon. Gentleman that without inquiry, but I will certainly make inquiries. I imagine, however, that the money expended here will be equally welcome whether it be expended by foreign capitalists or by capitalists at home.
§ Mr. MAXTONThe point about which I am anxious, and about which the right hon. Gentleman might tell me when he has the information, is as to how much of the subsidy that will be required from the British Treasury is going into the pockets of foreign capitalists?
Mr. WOODPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question down asking for the information, when I shall be very pleased to give it.
§ Following are the figures promised:
| Estimated total capital cost. | Estimated outlay abroad. | |
| £ | £ | |
| Ely | 358,100 | 81,000 |
| Ipswich | 377,900 | 105,000 |
| Bury St. Edmunds | 300,000 | 30,000 |
| Wissington | 300,000 | 30,000 |
| Spalding | 245,000 | 8,200 |
| Kidderminster | 245,000 | 8,200 |
| Total | £1,826,000 | £262,400 |